Also living in the three-bedroom red-brick bungalow were Cekani's husband, and his parents, immigrants from Albania, who were at work when the fire broke out.

The fire started accidentally due to an electrical issue in an attached garage and spread to the house, Fire Chief Warren Abriel said.

Zerina Cekani's husband, Mikel, and father-in-law, Anesti, learned about the fire while at work at Davies Office Refurbishing in Albany. Anesti Cekani's wife, Elvira, works in housekeeping at the University at Albany.

More Information

Last week, Zerina Cekani completed a cosmetology program and was approved for graduation and licensure at Austin's School of Spa Technology on Central Avenue in Albany, Director Danielle Cullen said.